Resilient Shield

Chapter 5

"Huh. You're quite accomodating." Commented Elhard, find it pleasing that the Shield Hero treated his Slave nicely... even though he would like it better if he let the boy rest. Goodness, that winged boy looks death warmed over. It took him some time to find a set of claws that would suit the boy. "There. It has several clasps, you can adjust it when you grow older."

"Thank you."

"And there's your clothes. Goodness, I'm not a clothes store."

"No." Naofumi agreed. "But you have clothes that durable for fighting and roughhousing." That's why Naofumi didn't go near Tailor or Clothes Store. He prefers plain clothes, as long as it was very durable for battle and not a crime against fashions. He has standards.

"Brat."

Shortly after, the kids come out from the changing room. Raphtalia wears a one-piece dress that goes to below her knees over a grey shirt with black stripes. The dress has a red accent at the center and dagger like a collar with black thread form crisscrossing X. The leather breastplate has to be fastened together by an additional belt to make it fit her frame. Same with the arm guard and knee guard. She's wearing a way-too-big belt around her waist to hold the sword sheath. Her legs were covered in brown boots with black laces.

Lucas was wearing a sleeveless black high-collared vest-like shirt that damn near touching his knees, which partially covered his light gray pants, tucked into black boots with red laces. His arm was covered by gloves that had to be fastened by the belt-like clasp so it won't slip off. Like Raphtalia's, his breastplate also has to be fastened, twice in fact, since he was so damn skinny. The vest-style shirt had a wide cut in the back and the breastplate only cover the front not back, allowing his wings to go out without making him look ridiculous.

"Thank you, Master."

"T-thank you."

Naofumi ignored it. "How much?" He asks.

"Twenty Seven Silver and fifty Bronze." Naofumi handed over the price and with a wave, he led the kids outside.

He felt someone tugged down at his sleeve. It was Raphtalia.

"What is it?"

"A-are you Hero? Like... one of the Four Hero thingy?"

Naofumi feels annoyance began to build up. "Yeah. I am." He replied, trying to not snapped at her. It's okay... it's okay. She's just curious about what her master was like. "I am a Hero. The Shield one. What of it?"

Before Raphtalia could answer, there's a loud rumble. Oh. It was their stomach.

The berry for breakfast was not enough.

Naofumi rolled his eyes and went to a nearby street vendor. He bought two loaves of bread, making sure the bread is soft and crispy and easy for the stomach before giving them to the kids.

They're accustomed to eating fish and berries and god knows what they used to eat. Some literature and manhua in his original world depicted that slaves in ancient Chinese eat boiled buckwheat. Not the tastiest stuff, but very easy for the stomach. Assuming this world is run by the same rule, or even worse, then giving them heavy stuff is going to upset their stomach greatly. The roasted fish are at least barren from any spices. Those street food use spices to bring flavor and attract customers. It would overwhelm their tastebuds. That, and meat is harder to chew than fish.

If Naofumi caved to their whims, they can and will take advantage of it. Give an inch and they took a mile, just like that bitch. If that happens, he can't instill obedience and set down the rule without using slave crest, and using those are ineffective. Not to mention if they ate something heavy, their stomach won't handle it, they'll get sick, and it would be counter-productive. Since Naofumi had sold all of his medicine and herbs, he has to gather and make new ones. They can eat heavy stuff when it won't compromise their health and productivity AND he had stomachache medicine on hand.